A Bucks resident spent two weeks in intensive care with Covid-19 and took part in a study for Covid-19 treatments.
During Katherine Millbank's stay at Stoke Mandeville Hospital last year Dr Raha West recruited into the study.
More than 30,000 participants have taken part in the trial through 167 NHS hospitals, including 249 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
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Buckinghamshire residents are now being invited to an online talk about research into Covid-19 treatments.
Katherine and Dr Raha West will openly discuss their experience with the University of Oxford’s RECOVERY trial on February 25.
Katherine said: “I took part in the study as I felt it would help the research team to learn about this awful disease and help people who have either had Covid-19 or could get it.
“In my eyes, it is a win-win situation, the research team learn from us and we get help from them with medication to survive this virus.
“It would be beneficial for others to take part, as we need to try and help ourselves and the research team with the new strain of this virus which is mutating.
“We all need to help each other and learn from this experience.”
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The study co-funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) saw Katherine take steroid dexamethasone as part of the trial into possible treatments for the patients hospitalised with the virus.
The study found the drug improved survival for hospitalised Covid-19 patients, the first discovery of its kind, which is being used throughout the NHS and worldwide to save lives.
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Dr West said: “This trial looks at various treatments, which may be given with usual hospital care to help patients with Covid-19 get better.
“The trial has already found that dexamethasone reduces the risk of dying for some patients.
“However, we must continue to find more treatments that can also benefit and rule out some that won’t.
“We need to fight this serious disease and this trial is an important way to do so.”
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The study also found that convalescent plasma, antibiotic azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine and drug combination lopinavir-ritonavir do not reduce deaths.
There will be the opportunity to ask questions and learn about how you can take part in COVID-19 research, even if you’re healthy. Register at here or email comms.crnthamesvalley@nihr.ac.uk
For more information visit here.
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